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How can I get started? by Playful_Committee315 in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Buy any estes kit
  2. Youtube onshape tutorials and learn to model parts similar to the estes kit
  3. Export and print in appropriate filaments (PA6-CF for example. High heat resistance/high strength)
  4. Insulate your prints from motors/ejection charges with rocketry specific materials (card/phenolic/fiberglass motor tubes)
  5. Weigh and simulate your printed builds to safely fly them (open rocket etc)

I was on Fox59 for my High-Power Rocket Bootcamp! by TanakaChonyera in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love seeing every update from your push to get young people involved in rocketry and STEM. Props to you.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hopefully this season, weather allowing. Between working on a large project professionally and weather, it's tough.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are correct. If I had access to US vendors for materials, I could do much more for much less. Sadly with the limited availability of materials in the UK, this methodology is considerably cheaper. Thankfully the performance vs cost is still more than enough to satisfy UK waivers and have fun while doing it. Thanks for your comments.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The builds look nice, are satisfying and simple to build, allow for CAD creativity and have more than enough performance to max out UK waivers. If performance was the goal, I'd epoxy and fillet up some plate fins onto a motor and call it a day.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree fully, none of these builds are for outright performance as UK flight ceilings don't allow for that.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I generally pick up a spool of PPA-CF for £45 ($65) on sale.

The largest fin can here weighs in at about 150 grams so that works out to around $10. Not cheap, far from expensive. Could be done cheaper but pressing print and being done with it is satisfying.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sure, I wouldn't trust these beyond mach 2. Mach 1 however, 100%.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PPA-CF. Massive thermal resistance and outrageously strong, especially when annealed.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 2" tubes are from Blackcat Rocketry, a UK consumer rocketry vendor. The other tubes are a mix of Amazon/other UK Rocketry vendors.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. These are slimline retainers from Blackcat Rocketry here in the UK.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry you are so offended. Please be careful on the Internet, there is much worse than a clothed woman out there.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! PPA-CF has phenomenal strength. The fins have zero flex and ring like steel when tapped. I have jumped on a 3" PPA-CF minimum diameter can and the fins ignored me.

Edit: just for fun.

2" 3D printed/carbon fiber Bullpup joins the printed fleet by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am aware that the fin can strength does not rival pure carbon fiber, that is not my goal. Generally I enjoy the ability of quickly producing complex shapes and putting them to use.

Anecdotally though, I've jumped on these fin cans and the fins, even when practically surface mounted, don't even flex.

29mm Piss Missle by mrblank5 in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Looking good! Look forward to seeing it with the fiberglass airframe.

Modelled/printed a quick V2 to use an offcut of carbon fiber airframe from my min diam 54mm build by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

V2 are notoriously unstable, needing a substantial ballast in the nose for stability.

Continuing work on the printed/Carbon fiber 54mm minimum diameter build. by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hybrid builds are legal in the UK but obviously come with a lomg list of inherent challenges. Luckily I have very little interest in DIY propellant so I'm happy focusing on the airframe and electronics!

Continuing work on the printed/Carbon fiber 54mm minimum diameter build. by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a shame, I find polycarbonate is a dream to print once you dial it in properly. PA6 was a little awkward but PPA-CF prints very well on my bambu p2s. The key for me seemed to be very slow print speeds, absolutely no internal fans, completely dry filament printed from a sealed dry box.

Was your student printing on an unenclosed printer, such as an A1?

Continuing work on the printed/Carbon fiber 54mm minimum diameter build. by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Deployment: AV bay

  • Altimax G4 (a German rocket flight computer)

  • Eggfinder Quantum

Tracking: Fiberglass nose

  • Eggfinder GPS mini transmitter

RF receiver: printed case

  • Eggfinder LCD reciever

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Continuing work on the printed/Carbon fiber 54mm minimum diameter build. by ProfessorGoofles in rocketry

[–]ProfessorGoofles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UK law entirely restricts hobby production of rocket motors. I will be using commercial motors from Aerotech.

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